JEF KOOL

Jef Kool (Born Brown, 1969)Not much is known about Jef Kool besides that he grew up in a Southern France hippy community in the 70s and set up his first punk band in 1986. He first tried his hand at the bass for the Fly Fuckers, a band inspired by the Ramones, the Dead Kennedys or the Béruriers Noirs which soon performed in all the local schools and fairs. A few years later, when he and a group of friends set up the Cosmic Slots, a funkpunk band with a Beasty Boys or Red Hot Chili Peppers strand, Jef discovered the joys of sampling. The quality of their live performances brought the band a popularity they had no time to enjoy ..with the death of the lead singer in 1991 and no record in the boxes, the Cosmic Slots ceased to exist. Shocked by his friend..s death, Jef gave up music altogether and disappeared without trace until the late 90s, when he went back to his musical tinkering. Only this time he went solo, settling down in his now trademark fresh electro-pop style which ..Magic Farm.. exemplifies. The fifteen or so instrumental pieces conjure up a variety of atmospheres held together by a pervasive generosity. The same simplicity runs through the experimental pop of ..In Town.., the ultra funk of ..A Donf.. or ..Funky Chick.., or the unbridled pop of ..Oui Oui.. and ..Summer Time... Lively, positively rousing melodies humour the funky beats featured in ..Magic Farm.. or ..Happy Rainy Day... This music has a dreamlike quality .. the most light-hearted mood may flirt with gloomier, even distressing patches ( ..Originel.., ..Hypnose alternative..), yet it still exudes optimism and freshness. Jef recorded most of the instruments featured in the album himself. Discreet guitar riffs here, there light organ melodies so characteristic of this music in its spontaneity and touching naïveté. The well-balanced mixture of vintage, electro or even full techno sounds (..Mystery Program..) does the production great credit. The album resists categorization (unless it is in the glory hold of electronic musics), and it just feels so good you would play it over and over again. It sure is fresh !